Electric switch



Oct. 30, 1928.

1,690,028 A. H. NERO ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 21, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 ATTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1928. 1,690,028

A. H. NERO v ELECTRIC SWITQH Filed Feb. 21, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR HRV/D NERO ATTORNEYS 'switch chamber.

Patented d. 30, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,690,028 PATENT oFFlCE.

ARVID H. NERO, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO 'IHE ARROW ELEC- TRIC COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNl('}'.l.I('}U'II?.l

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application led February 21, 1922. Serial No. 538,271.

My inventionl relates to electric switches, and particularly to switches of the toggle type. Among the objects of my invention may-be specially mentioned, (1) a novel mounting for the switch-operating lever, and (2) a more secure arrangement of the combined wire terminalv and switch contacts. Other features of improvement will be hereinafter pointed out or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-q Fig. 1 is a plan View of a switch in which my invention is embodied in one form;

Fig. 2 is a broken section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, showing the usual face plate associated with the switch;

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan of the switch with the bottom` closure plate removed;

Fig. 4 is a broken inverted plan showing the closure plate in position;

Fig. 5 is an inverted plan of portion of the switch-carrying yoke and associated retaining collar;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the collar engaged with the yoke;

Fig. 7 is a broken perspective of the collar alone;

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the switch-operating leven;

Fig. 9 is a partial perspective of portion of the yoke; and

Fig. 10 is a similar view of a modliied construction.

While certain .features o1 the'invention are applicable to switches of various types, I have chosen to illustrate the-invention in a switch of the -flush type, comprising an insulating body of inverted cup shapetaffording a switch chamber 16 closed against the entry of dust and dirt by a bottom plate 17 extending across the open face of the cupshaped body and having an insulating 1ining 18, as is usual. The plate 17 is secured in position by bolts 19 passing through the opposite ends of the insulating body and taking into the yoke 20, by which the switch may be mounted in customary fashion in an outlet box. A cover plate 21 overlies the switch in a complete installation, and is secured in position by screws 22 taking into ta ped holes in the yoke 20.

pper and lower switch contacts 23 and 24 extend into the opposite ends of th'e These contacts are preferablyintegral with straps 25 and 26, from which they are offset, and from which also switch b are offset foot pieces 27 and28 which lie against the inner face of the closed end of the insulating body and are secured theretov by screws 29. .The foot pieces 27 and 28 have extensions 30 and 31 adapted to pass through apertures 32 and 33 in the closed end of the base and to overlie the shoulders 34 and 35 formed in the end walls. Wiring chambers suitably insulated from the yoke 2O are afforded Vby the beveled sides of the apertures 32, the latter being of suilicient size and shape to accommodate the binding screws 36 and 37 which take into tapped holes in the foot pieces 30 and 31 of the switch contacts. .In order to accurately align the contacts with respect to each other and to the switch blade, I provide each strap 25 and 26 with -a lug38 or 39 which enters and is closely embraced by; the sides of a Channel 4() or 41 in the -end wall of the insulating body. This construction enables me to utilize a single securing screw 29 for each terminal without danger that the latter*- will swivel on the securing screw and lose its proper poition for cooperation with the Extending into the switch chamber from the closed end of the insulating body is a switch frame 42 of any suitable type, upon which is mounted 'the switch mechanism. In the form here shown the mechanism comprises a switch bar yoke 43 carrying a switch bar 44 and subjected to the action of the toggle spring 45 through the rocker 46. The latter is pivoted on the pin 47 and has a fork 48 at its outer end adapted to receive a cross pin 49 on the o erating lever 50. Intermediatethe stem of t e lever 50 and the thumb piece 51 bywhich it is manuall operated', the lever is provided with a sp erical enlargement or hub 52, .through which extends a transverse bearing in 53. The lever is supported in notche bearings 54 formed in a collar 55 struck upward from the 'yoke 20 and lying within the area of the bearing pin or stud 53 from the notches. To

secure the ring in retaining position I pro- Gru vide the same with a pair of wings 59 bent back upon themselves to channel shape, and adapted to embrace the fianges 60 extending from the yoke 20 on opposite sides of the collar 55. The flanges 60 are lshaped to afford notches 61, through which the wings 59 of the retaining ring 57 may be passed to bring the re-curvedends thereof below the fianges 60 by the rotation of the ring. The flanges 60 are also provided with radial indentations 62 adapted to receive the ribs 63 formed in the wings 59 and engaging the recesses 62 to lock the wings 59 of the wing in engagement with the flanges 60 of the yoke 20.

The articular shape of the collar may be varled. Thus, as shown in Fig. 10, I have indicated a pair of upstanding webs 64 and 65, each provided with a bearing notch 66. Such construction may be employed where desired, but I prefer a cylindrical collar of the type shown in Fig. 9, since it affords a closer fit for the locking ring, and the hole in the latter may be large enough to prevent its frictional engagement with the spherical hub 52 of the operating lever. This is of importance where the finish of the lever is of such character that it is a t to be marred by scraping against the e ges of the collar. In either case. however, it is obvious that the lever 5() of the collar 57 may be readily detached from the switch without disturbing the switch mechanism of any particular installation. This is important where predetermined harmony or contrast between the color of the face plate 21 and the collar 57 and. lever 50 is desired.

Various modifications in detail of arrangement and construction of parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from what I claim as my invention. Thus it may in some instances sufiice to hold the retaining ring 57 in position solely by the engagement of its peripheral shoulder 67 by the edge of the hole 56 in the face plate. In this case the wings 59 on the ring, and the flanves on the yoke may be dispensed with. prefer, however, the construction illustrated, which affords an assembled switch structure independent of the face plate.

I claim- 1. In an electric switch, an insulating body, a bridge mounted thereon and provided with bearings, a switch mechanism, a thumb lever having a freely detachable operating association with said mechanism and freely pivoted on said bridge bearings, in combination with a cover plate and a readily detachable retaining member underlying the latter and covering said lever bearing on the bridge.

2. In an electric switch, an insulating body, a bridge mounted thereon, a switch mechanism supported on said body, a thumb lever having a freely detachable operating association with said mechanism and freely pivoted on said bridge, fiange means on the bridge, in combination with a retaining member having a bayonet locking engagement with said flange means and serving to maintain said lever in pivotal association with the bridge.

3. In an electric switch, a switch mechanism and an operating member detachably associated therewith, a bearing member through which said lever passes, and on which it is freely pivotcd, a retaining member overlying the pivot point below the operating lever and bearing member, a cover plate having an aperture for the.accom modation of said lever and retaining member, said' retaining member being readily detachable on the removal of the cover plate bait being held against escape thereby.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ARVID H. NERO.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTIGN.

Patent No. 1,690,028. I Granted October 30, 1928. to

ARVID H. NERO.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line I3, .for the word` "wingl read "ring"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Y

Signed and sealed this 8th day of January. A. D. 1929.

M, J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

